Shown here is a xenograft tumor model of LAM in mice, developed in the Henske lab. This model was utilized to demonstrate that estrogen promotes the survival and metastatic spread of LAM-like, smooth muscle cells to the lung (Yu, Henske PNAS 2010).

Understanding how benign-appearing LAM cells metastasize throughout the body is of great interest to the Henske Lab as well as researchers in the field.

The Henske Lab utilizes folliculin-null cells as an in vitro model of Birt Hogg Dube, in an effort to identify how mutations in the BHD gene lead to the various clinical manifestations, including lung cysts, renal carcinoma and fibrofolliculomas. We hope that this work will lead to the identification of therapeutic targets for this disease.

Identifying how LAM cells metastasize to the lung is an ongoing field of study in the Henske lab.

Shown here are H&E and Smooth Muscle Actin images of a LAM nodule from a patient with LAM. We rely on patient samples to further our understanding of the disease mechanisms that contribute to LAM and identify potential therapeutic agents.

About the Center for LAM Research and Clinical Care

Dr. Henske is the director of the The Center for LAM Research and Clinical Care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The center is comprised of physicians, researchers and health care professionals and is dedicated to:

The Henske Laboratory is focused on the genetics, cell biology and biochemistry of two tumor suppressor gene diseases: Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome (BHD). Our goal is to eliminate tumor cells and LAM cells in individuals living with these diseases as well as individuals with the sporadic forms of LAM and chromophobe RCC. Our mission is to translate research discoveries into improved clinical care, as quickly as possible, to improve the lives of those affected by these devastating diseases.